New Markets 2 ERDF: Growth Platform

New Markets 2 was created specifically to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Liverpool City Region with their growth plans.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), eligible SMEs can access a grant from Growth Platform of 35%* of the cost of cost of consultancy or agency fees, costing a minimum of £3,000 (excluding VAT).

* please note 35% grant is claimed back after successful completion of agreed programme of support.

• Any small and medium sized enterprise (SMEs) in Liverpool City Region.
• SMEs with less than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than £45.1m or a balance sheet of less than £38.8m.

There are some exceptions to this, if you are part of a larger group for example, but this will be assessed as part of your application. Eligible businesses can only access support from the programme once.

The grant aims to help your business grow by accessing commercial advice in a broad range of projects (disciplines) including (but not limited to):

• Financial Advice – Investment readiness, Business Planning, Corporate Finance
• Applied R&D
• Legal Advice – Employment, Contracts, IP
• Product/Service Development & Diversification
• Sales & Marketing
• Developing Quality Management Systems
• Supply Chain Development
• Interim Sales and Finance Management
• Export Development

You must not have committed to start working with a particular supplier.

Exclusions from Growth Platform’s New Markets 2 ERDF grant:

• cannot fund statutory requirements
• cannot fund capital expenditure
• cannot fund training, but can fund coaching (If you are looking for training support, you can contact the Skills Brokerage Service)

• Application – Completing a form and providing evidence, if necessary, to confirm eligibility.
• Procurement – Templates are provided to enable you to state and advertise your required service here, receive quotes (minimum of 3) and score suppliers.
• Confirmation of Funding – Upon receipt of procurement documentation, Growth Platform will issue a Grant Funding Agreement (GFA).
• Work with your supplier – When you have received the GFA you can instruct your chosen supplier to begin the work.
• Claim – when the work is completed to your satisfaction and you have made the final payment to your supplier, the claim for grant funding can be submitted. (Grants are paid quarterly – March, June, September and December.)

Growth Platform’s New Markets 2 commercial brokers offer impartial advice and are here to help you through each step of this process.

Each business can only access the New Markets 2 once.